Enzo’s World

June 19, 2006. Monday

It’s my first time to eat solids. Ooooooh! I was so excited!
Mommy and Daddy bought me a set of Mickey Mouse feeding bowl, spoon and fork. Wowowee! I looooove Mickey!

At last, I could eat just like Mommy and Daddy… Yipee!

Yey! Yey! Yey! Mommy’s going to give me my first taste of rice cereal….

*Ewww!* Yuck!* What was that? *Ugh!*

*Nyuck!* *Ack!* That was food?!?!

After numerous attempts to make me take in the cereal, Mommy and Daddy waved the white flag in surrender. The stats:

No. of spoons of cereal prepared                    :        5

No. of spoons of cereal on my bib                   :        1

No. of spoons of cereal on my face and hands  :        1

No. of spoons of cereal Daddy ate                   :        3

No. of spoons of Cereal I ate                          :        0

The only thing Mommy and Daddy accomplished today was to make me look like Mr. Suave with my cereal mustache!Sorry, Mickey! Your charm just didn’t work its magic today.

June 22, 2006. Thursday.

Monday’s attempt to feed me ended in disaster. Same with the attempt on Tuesday. Mommy skipped trying to feed me on Wednesday. She read in a baby book that sometimes, when a baby refuses to try eating solids for the first time, it’s better to stop for a week, then just try again.

Today is the third day she’s going to try to make me eat rice cereal. She tried a different tactic this time. She placed me in my car seat, put the car seat on top of the table, then played with me first. After a while, she tried giving me a spoonful of cereal. Poor Mommy, I thought. She’s been trying every trick in the book to make me like solids. She’s been dancing, singing, clapping, telling me stories…

Wawa ka naman, Mommy. Sige po, I’ll open my mouth now.

Mmmmm…. This cereal tastes good! Give me more, please!

Mmmm…. Yummy! Eating cereal isn’t bad after all.

I think I like this! Bring it on, momma! =)

June 17, 2006.

The Workshop was all decorated with colorful balloons, Hello   Kitty and Hello Daniel stuff toys were perched on the shelves. Our kitchen was a-bustling with activity. Everyone in our house was soooo busy! You know why? Today, I turned half a year old! And…I celebrated with flair, of course!

Half-y Theme

The party kicked off at 7:00 p.m. My friends from Teatro San Jose came in their unique half-fashion statement. I gave special prizes to Ate Joy (who came with different make-up for each half of her face and half of her hair was crimped, half was straight), Ate Pie (who wore a half of a polo shirt) and the best half-dressed, Kuya Jopet who came wearing trousers with 2 different pant-legs.

Of course, li’l ol’ me was in a half-fashion get-up, too. Mommy and Daddy bought me two pairs of socks to mix and match. I wore one sock with Mickey’s face and one sock with Tigger’s face. Cute, huh?

Of course, the best half-fashionista was Ela who came in Red and white (red pants, red and white shirt, one red and one white sandal, one red and one white earring.

Food! Food! Food!

Daddy and Mommy bought some fancy dinosaur plates, as well as smiley and clown paper napkins for the dinner to be served that night. Oh, boy! Did we have lots of food that night. Lola Inga cooked loads and loads of pancit. Daddy whipped up a tuna topping for the canapés. Ate Marie and Ate Elma skewered some hotdog tid bits (donated by Ela) for pica-pica. Daddy ordered some yummy barbeque from Aling Vicky, and Tito Ninong bought ice cream for everybody!

Games and Fun

My Ates and Kuyas played some games. The first one was Kikay and the Robber. Kuya Ronnel got to do a consequence for having been caught with both Kikay and the Robber scarves on his neck. Then, there was the trio’s newspaper dance. The boys had a chup-chup-a-coke contest.They all had to chug soda using my old feeding bottles. Then the girls played Trip to

Jerusalem

. Ate Jhed was so madaya! Good thing Ate Joy was quick and out-sat her!

One other game we had was a name game. Everyone was assigned a new name by which they should be called by everyone else in the party. The new names were names of items I use or have used as a baby. Anyone caught mentioning another person’s real name will be dotted with face make-up. By the end of the night, almost everybody had colorful dots on their faces.

I had a mattress spread out for me on one corner of The Workshop. I just lay there when I was tired and watched the activities all around me (I got a good view of everyone’s feet from my position).

Picture! Picture!

Here are photos of me with everybody at the party…

…with Mommy and Ela…

…with Ate Marie, Lola Inga, Ate Elma, Mommy and Ela again….

…the Holy Family =)

…with the TSJ gang: Kuya Ronnel, Kuya Archie, Ate Jhed, Ate Louise, Ate Nora, Ate Meggie, Ate Pie, Ate Shane, Kuya Jopet, Kuya Jay, Ate Armie, Ate Nicole, Ate Jenina (hmmmnn… where are Ate Joy and Ate Toyang?)

And here’s a picture of me receiving a gift. That’s Ate Jenina handing over the gift to me. She gave me a nice little towel (to wipe dribble off my face, she says— hehehe).

My Mickey Cake

Daddy bought me a very special Mickey Mouse cake. Mmmmm…. It looked so gooooood! I especially loved the candles when they were all lit up. Everyone sang half-y birthday to me… Then, Daddy helped me blow out my birthday candles. *Phooey!* Party pooper! Just when I was just having so much fun watching the dancing flames…

Wonderful Night

All too soon, the party came to an end. But nonetheless, I couldn’t be happier…

Food… friends… fun… What more could I ask for. I had the time of my life! I’m so lucky Mommy and Daddy thought of this Half-y party! I wonder what they’ll cook up next when I turn a year old? I bet it will be a blast!

Summer 2006 was one of many firsts and other unforgettable moments for me. Mommy says this was a time when I reached a lot of milestones. 

This summer, I logged in a lot of miles of car travel. You know what? Im a good boy when it comes to car trips. I just say buckled up in my car seat— on the condition, of course, that my paraphernalia is complete. I’ve gotta have my car mobile (so it can keep me entertained as it swings while the car is in motion). I need to see and touch Patrick the big red doggie seatbelt decor so I won’t get scared when Daddy snaps on the seatbelt. Plus, Mommy has to have on-hand her magic bag of toys for me just in case I get cranky during the trip.

I also learned to do a lot of things this summer. One new thing I’ve been enjoying is bathing in the tub. Ooooh! How I enjoy being submerged in a tub of water. I love splashing around and getting everyone around me wet as I am! hehehe

I’ve also learned to grasp my toys and wave them in the air.  Here is a photo of me waving one of my favorite soft toys, Ducky. But I had some bumps and bruises lately for I sometimes bonked myself on the head with those hard plastic rattles I sometimes play with. I’ve also started to become mucho pakialamero—touching Mommy and Daddy’s stuff (they were delighted at first, for they found my curiosity cute—but not for long, since they relaized I’d put anything I get my hands on straight into my mouth). I’ve also learned to smile for the camera (much to mommy’s delight as she clicks and clicks a way with the digi cam), and I can now hold my own bottle (sometimes, when I’m in the mood and the angle is right). This was also the time when I became more aware of my surroundings and developed more socialization skills.

Oh, there’s so much to tell about what I’ve been doing the months of April and May, I don’t know where to start!  Hmmmnnn… Let me see…

Playtimes at the Parks

Lakwatsero li’l me went to two parks this summer. I had lots of fun at the BF Playground which we visited twice. Daddy and I went on the see-saw and the swing. Then, Daddy showed me the monkey bars, the fireman’s pole and the giant slide. He said I could try them out when I’m bigger. We brought food for a picnic on both our visits.  I’m pretty sure Daddy, Mommy, Ela, Tito Ninong, Ates Nitz and Josie had fun eating. Me? I had fun watching them binge on sandwiches and chips. And of course, I had a blast just being with everybody.

The other park I visited was the Mariposa park, just a few feet away from our house. I can’t recall how many times I went there, but I do remember visiting the tiangge at the park and watching the pretty sagalas for the Sunduan parade. There were many new things to see! Lots of kids, banderitas and food! Yum yum!This is a picture of me in Mommy’s arms as I looked up at the banderitas waving at me.

Hearing Mass Under the Accacia Tree

I joined Mommy, Daddy and Ela for Mass twice this summer. We stayed under the accacia tree right outside the Church. Those were new experiences for me since the first time I heard Mass last Ash Wednesday was not one I was proud of. I cried that time. It was hot inside the Church and I got scared of Fr. Abet’s booming voice. But hearing Mass while sitting under the tree is great! There’s lots of fresh air and I’m far from the blaring sound of the PA system.

Workshops with Teatro San Jose

I attended theater workshops this summer. I am the youngest thespian of TSJ. I attend rehearsals everyday. I have mastered the characterizations of an api baby, happy baby, playful baby and suplado baby.  My only lines are waaaaaaaah!, hehehe, , and Mmmmmmmmm….. My suplado performances have earned me the monicker Enzo-ngit. Ela/Direk has promised me the role of baby Jesus in TSJ’s Christmas presentation….that is, if I can still pass off as a baby in a manger. Mommy doubts it. She insists that at the rate I’m growing,  I will be cast as a sheep or a donkey in the manger. Hey, take a look at my picture—I’d make a handsome baby in the manger, right?

Attending workshops with TSJ also helped me become more artistic when it comes to posing for the camera. Here’s a shot of me and my favorite Titanic pose. I’m the king of the world! Wipeeee!

Aside from developing my acting talent, would you believe that I assist Ela and Mommy in directing? Honest! I snort in disappointment if I don’t like the actors’ performances, and I squeal in delight if I like their performances. And you know what else? I helped Mommy choreograph the love dance of Agueda and Badoy in TSJ’s upcoming production of Trap of A May Day Night. She carried me in her arms as she conceptualized the steps! I bet if she wasn’t carrying me, she couldn’t have been as inspired!

I met a lot of girls during TSJ rehearsals. I can tell they all like me. Why wouldn’t they? Nobody can resist my charms! Here’s a photo of me with the TSJ girls… Hello, ladies!

A Visit to the SSpS Sisters

I went with Daddy and Mommy to CHS to visit my honorary Godparents, the SSpS nuns.  They were the ones who prayed a lot for Mommy and me when I was still in Mommy’s tummy. You know what? One nun whispered to me that if I ever want to consider priesthood when i grow up, she prays I join the SVD. Hehehe… no problem…It was my first time to see the school where Mommy and Daddy taught. It was a nice place. lots of trees (I love trees!). Quiet (I enjoy silent ambience). And lots of nice people. I enjoyed being fussed over by ladies in white. It’s not so often that a baby like me gets lots of cuddles from so many nuns. I felt so blessed!

Party Boy

I attended lots of parties this summer. Well, they weren’t kiddie parties, but I still had lots of fun.  There was my joint 4th month celebration with Josh-josh at Marikina. Then there was the triple birthday celebration of Lola Cynch, Lola Unti and Tita Marinette.

Then my TSJ Ates also celebrated their birthdays— Ate Jenina and Ate Joy. I’m proud to say  that I was at my best behavior in all those parties. I guess I make a good party guest, huh? 

Oh, I almost forgot! I also attended Lola Wisa’s 75th birthday bash at Pansol,  Laguna. Then, there was Mamoo’s birthday handaan grande at the Quirino Guest House at La Mesa Dam. Wow, I tell you! Both parties had lotsa food! I would have eaten a lot if only I could!

Water Baby

And of course, what’s summer without swimming! I had my first swimming experience at Pansol during Lola Wisa’s birthday bash. Tita Winnie told Mommy it was safe to make me swim since the water wasn’t chlorinated, it was from the hot spring.

I had lots of fun! I looooooove being in the pool. I was awed by the giant bath tub I was immersed in.  Too bad my swimming had to be cut short. My cousin, Kuya Joaquin startled me unintentionally by splashing me with water and pulling Mommy’s arm as she carried me. I cried, so Mommy had to take me out of the water.

A Summer to Remember

Wow! This truly was a special summer! I’ve been to many places, saw lots of faces, learned a lot and had so much fun! I’m pretty sure my family enjoyed this summer too… I just don’t know how happy they’d still be when they receive the bill from the photo developing center. If only you could see the load of pictures they had developed! Oh well, what’s a couple of thousands for a lifetime of memories? Surely, every special experience we have will always be a time to say: "Cheese!" Right?

What do you get when you put together 5 grannies, 5 aunts, 5 uncles, 1 kid, 1 toddler and 2 babies? One heck of an Easter weekend at Mamoo’s house in Marikina…

I’ve never been on a leisure travel before. The only trips I’ve taken so far were to the hospital for check-ups (and those trips lasted only a couple of minutes since the hospital was just 1 kilometer from our house). I really looked forward to visiting Mamoo. Not only is it my first leisure travel, it’s also the first time I’ll see my cousin Josh. But, ssshhhhhh… my pediatrician doesn’t know I’ve made lakwatsa already. She told Mommy and Daddy she forbids her patients to travel before they turn 6 months. So this will be our little secret, okay?

It took Mommy and Daddy 3 days to program me for this trip—"break in" as they call it. They tucked me in my car seat, buckled me up in the backseat of our car and took me for joy rides. On Thursday, we went to a nearby plant nursery. Daddy and I stayed in the car while Mommy and Ela bought house plants. I smiled, cried, cooed, played and made dodo during the 30-minute trip. On Friday, we took a 7-kilometer ride to the gas station so Daddy could fuel up. By the time we got there, I was sound asleep. The most fun was the Saturday trip. We drove through Jollibee for some breakfast, then went to a quiet park with a playground. Wow! There were lots of trees waving at me. I squealed at them in greeting and they waved even more. Daddy and I gave me a tour of the playground. I had most fun riding the swing with Daddy. All the excitement made me tired. I was fast asleep on the trip home.

Then came the big day—the trip to Marikina. It was over an hour long. I got hungry during the trip. I just chugged some water then slept through the whole trip. I awoke a few minutes before we got to Mamoo’s house. As soon as Mamoo and my aunts and uncles saw me, they all gushed "Wow, ang taba ni Enzo!"

Ate Keona was one of the first to greet me at the gate. She and Mamoo kept me company in the sala as I adjusted to my surroundings.

Mamoo’s house is cute. Lots of thingies on the walls and tables to keep me company. And it’s so cooooool inside—literally. Naka-aircon ang buong house! Wow sarap!

Then cousin Josh arrived. I giggled and squealed in delight. The grannies, aunts and uncles thought I was happy at seeing another baby. If they could only read my thoughts, they would have discovered I was happy for a different reason. I was thinking: "Yipeee! Meron pa palang mas konti ang buhok kaysa sa akin! Weeeee!"

It’s fun having another baby as a playmate. Well, Pareng Josh and I didn’t really play. All we did was exchange sounds.

     He’ll giggle, I’ll giggle.

     I’d squeal, he’d squeal back.

     He’ll shout, i’ll try to shout louder.

It was also nice to see someone my size (though technically, Josh and I weren’t of the same size. I was a trifle bigger than him). And it was nice to know someone spoke the same language I did. Josh new what "Aw!", "Agoo" and "Mmmmm" meant.

Josh and I were all the household needed to keep themselves entertained. If I could only count, I could tell you now just how many times they said "Parehas sila, ano?" or "Para silang kambal!" Our audience particularly enjoyed watching us during our milk drinking contest. Josh and I had several rounds. But truth be told, Josh is no match to my drinking powers. His bottles are teeny weeny, mine are biiiiiiig.

Like any other day with babies, there were periods of chaos (when we were crying our lungs out) and moments of peace (when we both fell asleep).

But the highlight of the day was our joint celebration of our 4th month birthday. We had lots of cake and Ninang Kay’s special spaghetti (andaming hotdogs talaga! Ang sarap ,natikman nga ng kamay ko kasi nasawsaw nga kamay ko when Daddy blew my birthday candle for me!). The oldies had red wine. Josh and I contented ourselves with our white wine.

The day at Mamoo’s sped by so quickly, all to soon it was time to go home. With a trunkful of our paraphernalia, pa-baon food from Mamoo, and hand-me-down clothes from Ate Keona, we were all set to head for home. The day might be over, but my excitement was still at its peak. Now that I’ve made my first trip away from home, I can’t wait for the next one. Hmmmnnn… I wonder where we’ll be off-to next? 

P.S. Thank you, Mamoo for a wonderful Easter weekend! Thank you everybody for the company!

Here’s a shout out to my baby cousins: Ate Keona, baby Josh Josh, Kuya Joaquin, Ate Sandy, and Kuya Shuey.

Hey there! How I wish we could set regular play dates. Wouldn’t that be fun? But since we can’t meet up, I’d like to dedicate this blog just for you.

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My dear Ate Keona, hello, hello! I’d like to thank you much, much, much for all the pamana you gave me. Mommy and Daddy appreciate them a lot. Even if some of them are pink or have touches of pink (coz I know pink is one of your favorite colors!), it’s okay. Especially when I was just a wee baby, I didn’t mind wearing pink. Mommy said any pastel color is fine for a baby. But now that I’m bigger, I already like more macho baby colors like blue and green.

I particularly love wearing the Winnie the Pooh ensemble you gave me (shirt, sando, mitts, booties, bonnet). I look soooo cute wearing it. But unfortunately, Mommy had to retire them already since they burst at the seams when I wear them.  Ditto with those long-sleeved shirts of yours. The sleeves are soooo tight, my Popeye biceps can’t breathe!

I’m a bit worried about the shoes you gave me, too. Daddy says me feet are so big for a baby that by the time I should be wearing shoes, they might not fit me anymore. Oh well, maybe I should start wearing them now even if I’m not standing nor taking my first steps yet. Pang-picture-taking lang, kumbaga!

I owe you lots! Don’t worry, Ate Keona. I promise, when we’re all grown up, I’ll escort you to your high school dance, prom, Santacruzan, Sunduan, etcetera. Tsaka paglaki natin at may nanloko sa iyo, isumbong mo sa akin, lagot sila! Makikita nila kung anong napapala ng mga sumasaling sa Ate Keona ko!

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Hello ‘insang Josh! Uy, thank you for the play mat you gave me. I enjoy watching the dangling thingies swaying in the air. Nagkanda-duling nga ako kakatitig sa kanila e!

Haay… We are already three months old, and we still haven’t met face to face. The last time we were together, we were still in our mommies’ tummies. I’ve seen your pictures, though. Gandang lalaki natin parehas, a! 

Shall I still call you “Kuya” since you are a day older? Dehinds naman yata bagay. I think I’m kindda bigger than you… Errrr…. Lots bigger I think. Tawagan natin, “Pare” na lang! Right, Pare?

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Hello Kuya Joaquin and Ate Sandy! Kamusta kayo dyan sa pagkalayu-layong Nueva Vizcaya? Kelan ba kayo uuwi dito sa Manila? Laro tayo! Naku, Kuya Joaquin, I guarantee you, just give me a little more time, pwede na tayo mag-wrestling! I’m a big boy, like you.

And hello, too Kuya Shuey! Muchas gracias for the shoes and clothes you gave me. You know what, I bet I’ll look good in them—especially the jumpers. Yun nga lang, some of the play suits don’t fit me anymore. They are too short for me =(   Well, it’s a good thing I’m growing up real well. You, Kuya Joaquin and I can be play buddies soon. We will be the Big Boys Club hehehe.

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I’m so lucky I’ve so many cousins. In no time, I will be on my feet and ready to play with them. i bet that will be fun! I can’t wait for that time to come!

     Everybody’s got favorites. Favorite food, favorite clothes, favorite toys, favorite music, favorite positions, favorite activities, favorite people… And of course, there are also things we dislike. Here are some of my loves and hates:

On food:

     My favorite is Milk! Milk! Milk! (Did you think it would be anything else?).

     And my un-favorite? Water. *Ugh!* *Ewww!*

On clothes:

     My all-time favorite clothes are my cotton-soft white shirts. *ahhhh* A white shirt feels so good on the skin, so cool. And I look really tidy in it, too! (that is, if I haven’t spitted up on it yet! Hehehe)

     My Ela says I look good in YELLOW. That’s why I love wearing my yellow side tie shirt with matching mittens and booties.

     Speaking of yellow, I love the way I look in my sunny Precious Moments ensemble (play suit, mittens, booties, bonnet). BUT… getting into that darn play suit is a challenge. Play suits are my peeves. There’s too much twisting and stretching before I get into one.

On toys and playmates:

     My favorite chat-mates are my mittens (for more on my friendship with mittens, please read my blog “Hello, Mittens”).

     My favorite playmate is my stuffed toy Henri Hippo. Ooooh, he’s got big eyes that I have fun mimicking. I enjoy looking at him ‘cause he’s so colorful! 

     I like strolling in the garden with our doggies Mokey and Mimi.  They don’t do much really except stay by my side and keep me company. But I like having them around and hearing them bark. Who I don’t quite like is our youngest doggie, 3-year old Quasi. Sure, he’s a cutie. But he nips at my feet and runs away with my booties! Hmph! That booty snatcher!

On music:

     When I was in Mommy’s tummy, I loved the theme songs from Darna and Encantadia. Why wouldn’t I? Mommy watched those series every weeknight!

     Mommy says I also liked classical music from her CD “Out Classics II”. I still do. Add to that list my new favorite, “Disney Classics”.

     I also enjoy listening to upbeat songs I hear on the radio and tv. My most recent discovery is “Sakto” which I often hear on tv during noontime. Mommy says I’m so jologs! She wonders why, out of so many songs she makes me listen to, I choose to giggle and wiggle at this Datu Puti jingle.

     I love listening to any type of music, except when it’s an off-key sing-along blaring from our neighbor’s videoke machine (please read my blog on “Oh, Those Noisy Neighbors!”).

On positions:

     When being served my bottled milk, I love taking it on the bed, in a semi-sitting position as I rest my back on my feeder’s thigh, and my head on his or her forearm. I don’t take much liking to being fed while propped up on a pillow, it’s so impersonal. I love the warmth of human touch when feeding.

     After a meal, I love being burped as I lie chest down on my feeder’s chest. I particularly love it best on Daddy’s chest,  it’s so sturdy (MACHO, he claims).  I like it on Mommy’s chest too, but it is so curve-y, I teeter-totter sometimes!

     I don’t particularly take to being burped on my tummy as I lie across Daddy’s legs. Not that it’s uncomfortable, in fact, I enjoy being “super baby” as I extend my arms in a flying position. But this burping position is so restrictive when it comes to view. All I see are Daddy’s big feet!

     In my crib, I’m comfortable sleeping on my back, with my head tilted to the left. Mommy and Daddy often tilt my head the other way, saying I’d have a distorted-shaped head if I only sleep on one side. I’m not so comfortable tilting my head to  the right. I dunno, it just doesn’t feel natural. I guess, I’m a lefty head tilter.

On activities:

     Taking strolls with Ela in the garden, sitting on the rocking chair with Mommy, and taking sunbaths on the veranda with Daddy are my favorite pastimes.

     My other favorite activities include gazing at the intricate patterns of our curtains, staring at light fixtures, watching hanging objects sway in the wind, and watching people and cars go by our house.    

     Of all the things Mommy and I do, I dislike nail trimming the most… especially when Mommy accidentally nips my skin! (but I’m a brave boy, I don’t cry. I just grunt in discomfort. It’s Mommy who cries—because of guilt hehehe).

On people:

     So far, I have found no reason to dislike any of the people I have met in my 2+ months of life. But of course, there are people I like most—especially for specific activities.

     Because I spend so much time with my Mommy, she is my favorite in many things: chatmate, playmate, jukebox, bather, fashion consultant, and of course, feeder.

    

     My favorite burper is Daddy. He is also the expert sunbather and sanitary engineer (a.k.a. poop eradicator).

    

     My Ela is the ultimate spoiler. She’s the only one who, when she carries and cuddles me, patiently tries every position humanly possible in every corner of the house to find out where I am most comfortable.

     My stare-mate is Tito Ninong Nikki. He’s afraid to carry me, so when he comes to see me, he just plays a quiet game of Stare-At-Me-Enzo. Sometimes, he slowly slides to and fro sideways like a pendulum and I follow his movements with my eyes until I get tired (or he gets dizzy!).

     I’ve got tons of favorite people, who include another spoiler, Mamoo (who just recently sponsored my 2nd month birthday cake!), my other grandparents, my godparents (especially come Christmas time! hehehe). Here in the photo are my godparents with fr. john, the priest in the middle who baptized me: (clockwise from top left) Ninang Cha and Ninang Abby, Ninongs Nikki,Jon-jon, Neil; Ninangs Che, Princess, Mylene and Maybelle. Not in the picture are Ninangs Kiss (who took the photo), Kay and Andeng and Ninongs PM and Amiel.

Well, so much for faves and peeves. Ta-ta for now! Toodeloo!

      

     If there’s someone who has mastered the skill of manipulation, it is me. From the first week since I was born, I have discovered the secrets of making people around me heed to my every beck and call. As a valentine treat, I will share with you the trade secrets for getting what you want.

     First, you must master how to CRY. Nothing makes people scamper to your side more quickly than crying.

     There are different kinds of cries. There’s the whimper, weep, wail and bawl.

     The WHIMPER, or soft crying, is the mildest of them all. You just have to let out a whine to catch the attention of anyone nearby. There’s no urgency in the sound of a whimper, so I suggest you don’t use it when you require immediate attention and want to be picked-up. Expect to receive some soothing words, a caress on the arm and a tap-tap-tap on the thigh when you use this technique.

     The WEEP is the one to use when you want to strike the hearts of those who hear you with pity so they will feel moved to come to your aid no matter what the circumstances. Nobody can be apathetic to a wailing baby. Kawawa naman, they’d say, and you’ll instantly be carried, cuddled, and coddled. Top off your act with a jutting lower lip and a quivering chin and you’ll have anyone fussing over you in no time.

     The WAIL is one of the techniques used when urgency is required. It is a non-stop loud cry, as if one is in extreme pain. The shock of hearing a baby wail invokes panic in anyone nearby, thereby making them pick you up without second thoughts to check where you hurt. No real injuries are required as prerequisite to using the wail. It can be used anytime you want immediate attention. You are sure to receive a thorough body check, a few hugs and lots of kisses when you use this technique.

     And now for the BAWL. This, by far, is the cry which receives the most urgent response. Not because people around you pity you or fear you are hurt in some way, but because they’d want to pacify you the soonest possible time before the neighbors call Bantay Bata. How to perform the bawl? Simple: use your loudest voice when crying. Show some tonsil and flail your arms and legs. And the most important thing: don’t stop bawling until the person who responds to your cry figures out exactly what you need. Out of sheer frustration, he or she will try everything possible just to try to calm you down.

     Now, shedding tears doesn’t always have to be the way to go to get what you want. There’s another technique you can use to captivate the attention and the hearts of those around you. And this is the SMILE. Curve those lips upward, add some cooing and gurgling sounds, and top off with playful winking of the eyes and—presto! You will become the most charming little baby nobody can resist. Anyone who sees your smiling face will stop what they’re doing to babble with you, carry you, embrace you, play with you… Now, isn’t that heavenly?

     Master these techniques, and I guarantee— you’ll have anyone eating out of the palm of your hand.

  I went to see my pediatrician today for a check-up. I love it every time we go visit Dr. Buendia. She’s such a jolly person. Gentle and playful, too. I also love the cool gadgets at her clinic. She’s got one which she uses to listen to my heart, then another one to measure how long I’ve grown.

  I particularly enjoy riding that thing they call a “scale.” It’s just right for my size, and it wiggles when I lie on it. Just after I ride it, the medical secretary says aloud a bunch of numbers. “4.3 kilos,” she called out today.

 

These visits to the clinic have my parents and Dr. Buendia talking non-stop about me. Today, they laughed a lot as they talked about my hair, my belly and my chin. Wanna know why? Read on…

OH, WHERE O WHERE IS MY HAIR?

   Oh, no! I’ve got a bald spot! Piso. Poknat. And it’s right on my forehead. *moan* That’s less “pogi” points for me!

   This unwelcome observation arised during my check-up today. Dr. Buendia stroked my head and said: “Hey, how come we still have no hair over here?”

   If it is any consolation, she said it’s probably just ordinary baby baldness and that my hair will grow in no time. And if it doesn’t—I’d be wondering how it could happen. Both Mommy and Daddy have thick, healthy hair. No bald spots. Unless I got it from something or someone my mom had a liking for while she conceived me… Aha! It must be that short, funny, bald guy from mommy’s favorite noon time show Eat Bulaga.

   Oh, Mommy! Of all the people to develop a fondness for… why, o why a bald guy?! Why couldn’t it have been Tom Cruise, Alfred Vargas or George Eads?

   *Sigh* Let’s keep our fingers crossed that I’ll eventually have a head full of locks!

MILK OVERLOAD

  Dr. Buendia said I had a big tummy.

   Daddy laughed at my doctor’s comment. "He takes in so much milk, that’s why. Ayaw paawat!"

  “Should we decrease his feedings?” Mommy asked.

  “No, he’s okay.” Said Dr. Buendia.

   Whew! That scared me for a while. No way was I going to let them get in the way of my love for milk. Oh my! What a tragedy that would have been!

   I wonder why my milk belly is such an issue. I thought it was a trademark among babies. Well, I think my tummy is cute. So do other people who see me. They coo adoringly when they see my chubby physique—especially my round, protruding belly. 

*****

   After much ado about my milk belly, Mommy had Dr. Buendia check out the rashes and skin peeling on my neck.

  “Neck? What neck?” said my doctor as she laughingly explored layer after layer of skin.

   Sure, sure. Blame it on my milk addiction again. I can’t help it—I’m hooked on milk! I get cranky when deprived of my usual 3 to 4.5-ounce serving of Nan-HA. And I can’t let the day pass without bonding with Mommy for a private feeding at least 6 times.

INTERVENTIONS

   Dr. Buendia concludes that my milk belly and double layers of chin are results of my rapid weight gain. And so, Mommy and Dr. Buendia discussed two common steps to address my rapid weight gain… both of which got the thumbs down from them:

          1. stopping me from feeding on demand, and

          2. giving me the pacifier

   The final verdict: maintain the status quo. Never mind the milk belly and the multi-layered chin. At least, nobody can say my parents don’t take good care of me.

   So—can someone go get my bottle?   I’m ready for my milk now =)

   I made new friends today. Ten, to be exact. Five sets of twins. They lingered by my side as I lay in my crib after bath time this morning. It was fun! Imagine, ten new playmates!

  Meet the twins: Pinkie-winkie and Pinkie-tinkie, Ringky-dingky and Ringky-roo, Middy-diddy and Middy-doo, Pointy- toinky and Pointy-poo; and Bubba-tum-thumb and Ruba-tum-thumb.

  The first time I saw my new friends, they bowed to me in greeting. They never made a sound but I knew they were glad to meet me because they waved and wiggled to say “hi.”

   I wanted to introduce the twins to Mittens. But my best pals have gone AWOL and were nowhere to be found. Hmnnn… I wonder where mittens could be…

   Of all the twins, I liked Bubba-tum-thumb and Ruba-tum-thumb best. They were so stubby and cute! Plus, they weren’t shy at all and often paid a visit to my lips for a quick kiss. *mwah!*

   For my ultimate pleasure, my new pals entertained me as they danced the hula to the tune of Mommy’s “Tiny Bubbles.” It was a treat watching them twist and turn. I’ve never seen such dancing!

   I fell asleep as my new friends went on with their business by my side. When I woke up, they were gone! But my best pals Mittens was back. Oh, how I wish my new friends met Mittens!

Note from Enzo’s mom: Today, Enzo had his nails trimmed for the first time. He had his first up-close encounter with his fingers as he was able to enjoy a whole afternoon of being mittens-free.

   I can’t help it. The urge just comes and—boom! I release what my Daddy calls my deadly stink bombs.

   At first, Daddy seemed amused by my noisy emissions. He marveled at how a tiny thing like me could produce such thunderous sounds. He laughs heartily and teases me a lot when he hears me “tooting” away. But then, after eradicating the by-product of my stink bombs three times in a row, Daddy was not quite as amused anymore. I don’t blame him—even I hate the smell of my own poopie!

   Meanwhile, Mommy says she’s amused by the way my face contorts each time a stink bomb is en route. I had no idea I looked funny! As far as I’m concerned, I’m just performing a natural biological urge.

   There’s an art to stink bomb and poopie ejection. Let’s first talk about stink bombs. You see, it all starts with a rumble in the tummy which builds up to a pressure impossible to contain. Easing the pressure requires hearty “toots” powered by 3 G’s: grimace, growls and full body gyration. The heartier the “toot,” the more intense the 3 G’s.

   In the event of increasing frequency of stink bomb ejection, a major poopie cannot be too far away. It’s a must for a major poop to be preceded by a stoic countenance characterized by platter-wide eyes and stone-stiff extended arms and legs. Once these steps are completed, poop is sure to follow. The cue that the dirty deed is done? Sniff the air! Believe me, the scent is addictive. Take my Daddy’s word for it. He says even his dreams are haunted by its distinctive smell.